What does BID mean in terms of medication dosage frequency?

BID stands for "bis in die," a Latin term that translates to "twice a day" in English. When a prescription indicates that a medication should be taken BID, it means the patient is required to take the medication two times within a 24-hour period. Typically, this would involve taking the medication at evenly spaced intervals, which can help maintain consistent levels of the medication in the body and improve its effectiveness. Proper understanding of these abbreviations is essential for medication aides to ensure that patients receive the correct dosage at the appropriate times, leading to better adherence and outcomes in patient care.